The Krewe of Kuties parade will start in Gretna at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4. The Kuties will proudly sit in their decorated wagons, carts, strollers, buggies and small floats, in just about anything that rolls, except golf carts that are not allowed.
Line-up is at 1:15 p.m. at 2nd Street and Huey P. Long Avenue. There is no fee, nor application to fill out. Just show up! The parade will move on down the Huey to 10th Street, make the turn and go up the Avenue, stopping at 3rd Street. Then the Krewe will move under the Gretna Marketplace to enjoy the King Cake festivities.
This year’s Grand Marshalls are Isabella Theresa Castanza, 10, daughter of Michelle Winterstein and Grant Bundy Jr., 12, son of Grant and Lisa Bundy.
The Krewe of Kuties has grown from roughly 85 parade-riders in 2017, its first year in the Old Garden Park neighborhood to hundreds of participants along Gretna’s Huey P. Long Avenue. The beloved children’s parade is now an adored social event. Brad and Stacie Jaufre, founders of Krewe of Kuties are responsible for this awesome event that all children who are a part of the krewe will remember forever.
By 2019, the Krewe was able to name its 1st Grand Marshal, Avery Alfortish. Its 2nd Grand Marshal, Amelia Molina in 2020 enjoyed her ride as well.
In 2021, the Krewe had to take a hiatus due to the Covid pandemic and all was quiet in Gretna for the Mardi Gras season. Sad little Kuties stowed away their mini floats and precious trinkets until 2022.
The sun shined brightly for the longest ever Kuties parade in 2022 as it rolled down the Avenue. Two Grand Marshalls, Breanna Montelius and Jake Meerman led the way.
As stated by one parade goer last year, Eric Brown, “I’m glad I came. This was a great parade. Simple, as it should be, it was just perfect.”
The kids in the parade were pumped and ready to go! Thousands of spectators, many wearing purple, green and gold in some way, cheered and applauded along the Huey as the Kuties rolled! Gretna Police and Fire Company vehicles announced the start with sirens and horns. They were followed by guest riders, Judy LeBlanc, a local favorite as “Mrs. Claus,” and Helen Williams, GretnaGlance.com blogger as Emma Whiteside, a colorful Gretna historical figure known from the Gretna Historical Society’s annual Cemetery Tour. Both riders are in this year’s lineup.
The Archbishop Shaw High School Band will be marching again, as will many, many other schools and groups. GG206-GG213.JPG
Participants are costumed, as are some of their parents. The awesome “floats” are a fine display of the parents’ interest and creativity. Children of all ages make up the Kuties Krewe. They will be waving and, if old enough, throw beads and trinkets from their floats. Older siblings often walk alongside and throw to the crowd as well.
Mayor Belinda Constant said, “We’re so happy to once again include the Krewe of Kuties Parade in our lineup of Gretna Mardi Gras activities, and we’re excited to showcase the children in this always family-friendly event.”
The Kuties Parade is an amazing way to spend a Saturday afternoon, seeing the pure joy of Carnival the way many will remember. Great to see smiling, happy children throwing and catching beads and trinkets, and spectators as excited as if they were watching a major grownup Mardi Gras parade!
Notice St. Joseph School Alumni:
To all who were in the Royal Courts for Mardi Gras at St Joseph School in any year, please email the picture and name of who is in the picture and the year it was taken to GretnaGlance@cox.net. If you don’t have all the names, send what you know. Send ASAP as deadline is Feb. 10. All pictures will be used in the Blog article published in www.GretnaGlance.com of Feb. 15. Thanks. First Queen GG215-JPG
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